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PHILADELPHIA – Typically, a college quarterback announcing that he's staying in college wouldn't warrant much more than a shrug from an NFL coach in the middle of the season.

But this was Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, whom Chip Kelly recruited and coached for two years before leaving to become the Eagles' coach last January. It had long been speculated that Kelly and the Eagles might select Mariota in the NFL draft next May if he were available.

That was before Nick Foles started putting together a season for the ages, and the Eagles started winning, thereby decreasing their chances of getting Mariota, a likely top-10 pick. Mariota's decision ended the speculation.

"I'm happy for him," Kelly said. "I know he comes from a great family. I know his dad and mom value education and Marcus is going to stay and get his degree. He's a really special young man. Everyone in the league will have to wait a couple years.

"I loved coaching him. He's exactly what you want in a football player. I know everyone in Eugene [Ore.] is happy. Eugene is a special place. Take it from a guy who had a real tough time leaving there. I think it's a good decision."

Kelly said he didn't play a role in Mariota's decision because NFL coaches aren't allowed to consult with college players.

Mariota, a third-year sophomore, said Tuesday that he intends to graduate by the end of his junior year, making it likely that he'll enter the 2015 draft.

Preserving McCoy

LeSean McCoy dropped to second in the NFL in rushing when Minnesota's Adrian Peterson gained 211 yards against Chicago last Sunday. Peterson has 120 more yards than McCoy, who has 1,088. McCoy is still the leader in yards from scrimmage, with 1,523.

But McCoy is 41 carries away from his career high of 273, which he should eclipse easily. Kelly was asked how McCoy looks in that regard.

"He looks fresh," Kelly responded.

When asked to elaborate, Kelly responded: "Freshy, fresher, freshest," before adding, "We don't have any ill effects. He's out here practicing every day. I think he looks good."

Punter Jones honored again

Eagles punter Donnie Jones was named the NFC's Special Teams Player of the Week for two straight games.

Jones is the first Eagles' special teams player to earn the honor two games in a row. Jones had seven punts Sunday that landed inside the 20-yard line, which set a new team record. That included a 69-yard punt.

In the Eagles' previous game, on Nov. 17, Jones had a 70-yard punt against Washington. Jones had an average of 50.7 net yards that game, the highest single-game average in team history. It was 44.4 against the Cardinals.

For the season, Jones is second in the NFL with 29 punts landing inside the 20. He has a net punting average of 41.3 yards, which is the highest single-season mark in team history.

Wing tips

Kelly said wide receiver and special teams player Jeff Maehl suffered a concussion last Sunday against the Cardinals. He's going through the NFL's concussion protocol and can't practice until he's cleared by an independent neurologist. … S Earl Wolff (knee) and LB Najeh Goode (hamstring) didn't practice Wednesday. Wolff has missed the last two games and said Tuesday that the chances are "slim" that he'd be able to play Sunday. ... DT Clifton Geathers missed practice for personal reasons.